Chapter 19
Lord Easton had a bounce in his step as he made his way to Fletcher House for tea.
“Good afternoon, Lord Easton,” Beckwith said, opening the door when Easton climbed the steps.
“It is indeed a good afternoon,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m expected for tea.”
“Yes, my lord. I believe everyone is in the drawing room. The staff and I would like to wish you happy,” the butler said.
“Thank you. That is most kind.”
“I’ll announce you, my lord.”
“There’s no need. I know the way.”
Beckwith nodded and took Easton’s hat and cane.
When Easton reached the drawing room, he stood in the doorway for a moment, watching as his betrothed plumped up the pillow behind her sister’s back.
“Is that better? I can get another pillow if that helps?”
“Mia, there’s no need. This one is perfect.”
“Perhaps you should put your feet up. You can rest on the sofa while we wait for Lord Easton to arrive,” Mia said.
Lady Fletcher shook her head, then saw him standing in the doorway. “Lord Easton, good day,” she said, struggling to get to her feet.
Easton rushed into the room. “Lady Fletcher, please don’t get up.”
She smiled at him. “That’s very kind of you. I was feeling a bit dizzy there for a moment.”
Mia rushed into his arms. “Hello, my darling, I’m so happy to see you.”
He hugged her tight. “I’m happy to see you as well.”
Fletcher chose that moment to walk into the drawing room. “Ah, Easton, I’ve notified my solicitor that the marriage settlements will need to be drawn up. We should discuss the details after tea.”
“Of course.”
The maid was right behind him, carrying the tea tray. She put it on the low table in front of the sofa. “My lady, shall I pour?”
“No. You may go.”
The maid bobbed a curtsey and exited the room.
Mia went to the tray and prepared a cup for everyone before sitting in the chair next to Easton. Fletcher had taken the seat next to his wife on the sofa.
“I have a surprise for you,” Easton said to Mia.
“A surprise? What is it?”
“Now if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” he said with a chuckle. Then he saw the look of disappointment on his beloved’s face. That wouldn’t do. “How can I say no to you? We’re going to look for a London home tomorrow. I’ve got a list of three available properties we can tour.”
Mia jumped up. “Truly? Our own home?”
“Of course. I’ve been thinking about moving from my bachelor quarters at the Albany for some time now. Our marriage is the perfect excuse to find other accommodations.”
“I’m so excited, but I’m afraid I don’t really know much about choosing a home.” She looked at Audrey. “Sister, would you consent to join us for at least one or two of the tours?”
“Of course. I’d like nothing better.”
“Why don’t we all go?” Fletcher said.
“Great idea,” Easton said. “I value your opinion, Fletcher, and especially Lady Fletcher’s eye for design.”
After tea, he followed Fletcher to his study to work out the details of the marriage settlement. “I’ve done well with my investments, and I want Mia to have a generous allowance.”
“Excellent.”
“I also don’t need her dowry.”
“I see. Why don’t I put the dowry in a trust for her? That way, she can choose to use it for any charitable purposes she wants to support or for any future children you may have.”
Easton nodded. “That’s a good idea. In the unfortunate case something happens to me, I want her to also have a generous widow’s portion.”
The two men talked for another hour, ironing out the details of the settlement.
“Thank you, Fletcher. I shall alert the family solicitor to expect the settlement papers within the next day or two.”
Fletcher stood and held out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Easton. I’m honored to call you brother.”
Easton took his hand in a firm grip. “I shall see you tomorrow. Shall we say around eleven?”
“Yes. That will be perfect. It will give my wife time to have a leisurely breakfast.”
Easton frowned. “Forgive me for asking, but is Lady Fletcher well? She looked pale at tea today.”
Fletcher’s smile split his face. “My wife is fine. She’s with child.”
“What wonderful news. My heartiest congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Easton said, walking out of the study and collecting his hat and cane from Beckwith.
“Good day, Lord Easton.”
“Good day, Beckwith,” he said, leaving Fletcher House.
The next morning, Mia woke up earlier than usual.
Today, she would help choose the home where she and Easton would begin their married life together.
She stretched her arms over her head and smiled.
Who could have ever guessed that she’d be looking forward to being a wife?
She felt she’d grown so much since coming to London.
Her silly whimsical ideas of what the marriage mart would be like now seemed like a foolish girl’s fantasy.
The reality of a Season was not what she’d expected.
While there were many exciting and fun activities and events to attend, there was also the dark side of living in London.
Almost being assaulted at Vauxhall Gardens had opened her eyes to more important things—especially having someone by your side who loved and protected you above all else.
That was what Alex had been doing for her all Season, from standing guard at the French doors at the Gardner ball to helping her navigate her fears on the dark path.
He was her protector, and she’d never noticed his steadfast devotion before.
Well, she noticed it now and vowed to be the best wife she knew how. She no longer wanted to dwell on which party to attend or which dress to wear; she wanted to discuss future invitations with Alex so they could decide together what to do.
She was too excited to sleep any longer.
When Beatrice came into her room to light the fire against the morning chill, the maid was startled to see her awake. “Miss Mia, is something amiss? It’s not yet seven.”
“I’m sorry to have startled you, but I couldn’t sleep any longer.”
“Would you care for chocolate and toast? I know Mrs. Culbert is in the kitchen.”
“Yes. That would be lovely. Thank you, Beatrice.”
The maid finished stoking the fire and left to fetch her a tray.
Two hours later, she was dressed and on her way down to the dining room.
Neither Fletcher nor her sister was there yet, which wasn’t surprising.
It was still early. She hoped Audrey was feeling up to touring houses today.
Otherwise, they would have to reschedule.
She didn’t want to tour any residences without her sister.
Audrey had such a fine eye for design, and Mia trusted her implicitly.
The footman poured her a cup of tea while she filled her plate.
Thirty minutes later, both Fletcher and Audrey entered the dining room. “Good morning, dearest,” Audrey said.
“Good morning to you both. Audrey, how are you feeling today?”
“I am well,” she said, holding a protective hand over the small swell of her belly. “I think the worst of it is over now. At least that’s how it was with William, and I’m hoping it will be the same with this child.”
“I’m so happy you’re feeling better. I would have rescheduled the tours today if you hadn’t felt up to going.”
“That’s very considerate of you,” Fletcher said, holding out the chair for Audrey. Once she was seated, he went to the sideboard for some fruit and toast. “Would you care for anything else?” he asked.
“No. This is fine, thank you,” Audrey said.
Mia was glad she’d finished eating before they arrived. She would not want to upset her sister’s delicate stomach with the smell of eggs and bacon, especially today.
When everyone had finished eating, they went into the drawing room to wait for Lord Easton to appear.
Promptly at eleven, Lord Easton arrived at Fletcher House. “Good morning, all,” he said, walking into the drawing room. “Are we ready to tour some houses?”
“Absolutely,” Mia said, tying the ribbons on her bonnet and slipping on her gloves.
Easton held out his arm. “My father has loaned us his carriage for today’s tours.”
“How very kind of him,” Audrey said, taking Fletcher’s arm and following the happy couple outside.
The men handed the ladies inside before joining them.
“I’ve given the driver the addresses of the available properties. I hope we find one that is suitable.”
“Sometimes it takes a while to find the right one,” Fletcher said. “We toured a few before we settled on Fletcher House.”
“I’m glad both you and Lady Fletcher could join us. Finding the right house can be somewhat daunting,” Easton said.
The first residence they toured was in Mayfair. It was a large, elegant townhouse, but the inside proved disappointing.
“Oh, the rooms are so very dark,” Mia said. She turned to her sister. “What do you think, Audrey?”
Her sister was looking around the drawing room, shaking her head. “I agree. Even with fresh paint, I’m not sure it would be suitable.”
Mia turned to Easton. “What do you think, Easton?”
“Well, it’s a fashionable address, but I’m not particularly fond of the house. Lady Fletcher is correct—no amount of paint could brighten this house. Shall we move on to the next one?”
Everyone agreed, and they went to the next property in Marylebone. It was close to Mayfair, separated only by Oxford Street. The house’s exterior looked a little tired, but Mia wanted to give it a chance. “It’s a lovely neighborhood,” she said.
“It is indeed,” Audrey said.
Easton led the way inside, and while there wasn’t anything particularly wrong with the residence, no one was especially excited about it either.
When they left the house, Easton turned to Mia. “Don’t worry, my dear. If the next house isn’t to your liking, I’ll contact the agent for more available properties.”
Mia nodded.
When the carriage pulled up to the last address in Belgravia, Mia’s eyes widened. It was a lovely house with numerous windows on each of the three levels. It was the smallest house on the block, but it had a homey feel, especially with the flowers blooming along the walkway to the stairs.
“I do hope the inside is appropriate,” she said as they walked up the front steps.
Inside, the foyer boasted black-and-white marble tile. To the right was a formal drawing room, which, while a little dated, seemed quite serviceable.
Mia lifted one of the sheets covering the sofa. “The furniture looks to be in good condition.”
Audrey lifted the sheet on one of the chairs. “Yes, I agree.”
The first-floor tour included the drawing room, dining room, and a study for Easton. There was also a small garden at the back of the property. They toured below stairs, and the kitchen was well-appointed. There were two small offices, one each for the butler and housekeeper.
“This is basically the same layout as Fletcher House,” Audrey said. “I think this would work well for your new staff.”
The second floor boasted four good-sized bedchambers, each painted in soft pastel colors except for the lord’s room, which had dark-blue walls, with navy drapes framing the windows. After touring the servants’ quarters on the top floor, they came downstairs to the drawing room.
Easton looked at the description the agent had given him and was pleased to see there was a small stables in the back. He’d be able to keep Ares here instead of at Devon House. “What do you think, my dear?”
Mia turned to her betrothed with hopeful eyes. “I do love this one the best. Your thoughts?”
“You don’t think it’s too small?” Easton asked. “There are only four bedchambers.”
“Not at all. It has a lovely, cozy feel. I don’t need anything larger.” She looked at her sister, and Audrey nodded.
Easton looked at Fletcher. “What do you think?”
“It’s quite a nice residence. I think it would only need a few renovations to suit your tastes and seems like a solid purchase.”
“Thank you, Fletcher. I value your opinion.” He turned to Mia. “So, is this the one, my love?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yes! I love it.”
“Then it shall be ours. I’ll contact the agent and make the necessary arrangements.”
“I shall give you the name of the agency I used to staff Fletcher House,” Lady Fletcher said.
“Thank you, Lady Fletcher. That would be very helpful.”
With one last look around, Mia slipped her hand in Easton’s, and they left the house.
“Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m famished,” Fletcher said. “Shall we go to Mivart’s?”
Mia nodded. “That would be delightful.”
As they drove away from her new home, Mia had never been happier. She would be starting her new life with the man she adored in a lovely house not far from her sister. She couldn’t have asked for anything more.